The PW13 Picture Frame Turn Button Spring Clip (SKU S04) is XKY Framing’s innovative rotating clip solution for frames that need to be opened and reloaded regularly. Unlike standard spring clips that require full removal to access the frame contents, the PW13 turn-button design allows the frame to be opened by simply rotating each clip 90° — and resealed just as quickly. It is the professional framer’s choice for display frames, changeable art installations, and high-turnover commercial display environments.
How the PW13 Picture Frame Turn Button Spring Clip Works
The PW13 Picture Frame Turn Button Spring Clip operates on a simple but effective rotating mechanism. The clip is attached to the frame back via a small boss or raised point that passes through the central 13×13 mm oval slot. When the clip body is aligned parallel to the frame edge, the spring tension holds the content stack securely in the rabbet. Rotating the clip 90° — so it is perpendicular to the frame edge — releases the clamping force and allows the backing board and contents to be lifted free.
This rotation-to-release mechanism eliminates the need to pry or lever clips out with a tool each time the frame is accessed. Over time, this dramatically reduces the risk of scratching the frame back or deforming the clip, extending the life of both the frame and the hardware.
Material and Dimensional Specifications
The S04 is stamped from 0.5 mm stainless steel and weighs 1.2 g — heavier than the PW20 clips due to the wider 13 mm body. The total length is 35 mm, the body slot is 13×13 mm (the largest slot in the XKY Framing spring clip range), and the foot is 9 mm wide and 9 mm tall. The wide top (5 mm) provides a comfortable thumb grip for rotation without requiring a tool.
Installation of the PW13 Picture Frame Turn Button Spring Clip
The PW13 is installed using a small screw or boss through the central oval slot. With the clip in the ‘open’ (perpendicular) position, load the frame contents into the rabbet. Rotate the clip to the ‘closed’ (parallel) position to lock. The spring geometry generates the holding force automatically as the clip engages the rabbet edge.
Ideal Use Cases for Turn-Button Clips
The PW13 Picture Frame Turn Button Spring Clip excels in: rotating art display frames; school and office certificate display frames refreshed each term; restaurant menu boards in wood frames; real-estate feature boards changed between listings; wedding table number frames reused across events; and any application where the same frame is re-used with different content on a regular basis.
Quantity Guidelines
For a 30×40 cm frame, 4–6 PW13 clips are typically used — 2 per long side, 1–2 per short side. The wider 13 mm body means fewer clips are needed compared to PW20 clips for equivalent holding force.
PW13 Turn Button vs. Standard Spring Clips
For permanently assembled frames that are never re-opened after initial assembly, a standard PW20 or PW16 clip is more economical. The PW13 Picture Frame Turn Button Spring Clip’s premium lies entirely in its rotation-release convenience. For high-turnover commercial frame applications, the time saved per content change — just seconds per clip — makes the S04 the clear value choice.
Add the PW13 Picture Frame Turn Button Spring Clip to your framing hardware kit today from XKY Framing and enjoy effortless frame content management for years to come.
